H. ‘Primal Instinct’
Hosta ‘Primal Instinct’ is a registered cultivar () .
| Year registered | 2009 |
|---|---|
| Section class | I-4b (Giant) |
Overview
Registered in 2009 as a sport of Hosta 'Principal's List', 'Primal Instinct' is a giant hosta distinguished by its heavily corrugated, deeply cupped and folded leaves of medium blue-green with broad creamy white margins. The leaf margins, approximately 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) wide, taper toward the tip and are slightly rippled, while the leaf surface is dull on both sides and bears 15 to 16 vein pairs.
In the Garden
'Primal Instinct' forms an upright mound reaching 28 inches (71.1 cm) in height and 44 inches (111.8 cm) in diameter, with a moderate growth rate. It performs best in partial to full shade, as is typical for blue-green hostas, and its substantial, corrugated foliage provides textural contrast alongside finer-leaved perennials such as ferns or heucheras. The dark green scapes, 26 to 34 inches (66.0 to 86.4 cm) tall, bear pale lavender flowers in midsummer.
Care Notes
Provide consistent moisture during the growing season, particularly in warmer climates, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like most large-leaved hostas, 'Primal Instinct' is susceptible to slug damage and may require protective measures in damp conditions.
This summary was generated with AI from the registry record and has not been reviewed yet; the registry data on this page is the reference. How we use AI.
Size and leaf
| Clump height | 28 in (71.1 cm) |
|---|---|
| Clump width | 44 in (111.8 cm) |
| Leaf length | 14 in (35.6 cm) |
| Leaf width | 11 in (27.9 cm) |
| Vein pairs | 16 |
| Leaf | medium blue-green with 1.5in (3.8cm) wide, creamy white, slightly rippled margins; dull on top; dull underneath; deeply reversed cupped, deeply folded down, deeply corrugated |
| Flower scape height | 26–34 in (66.0–86.4 cm) |
| Notable characteristics | large blue-green, heavily corrugated leaves with 1.5 cream edge that tapers to tip. Great substance, with leaves that fold down (or reverse cup. |
From the American Hosta Society Registry record.
Parentage
- Sport parent: Sport of H. 'Principal's List'
Similar cultivars
Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (I-4b, giant size):
- H. ‘Gone with the Wind’ (2009)
- H. ‘Megan's Angel’ (2009)
- H. ‘Backyard Monster’ (2007)
- H. ‘Icy Halo’ (2014)
- H. ‘It Rocks’ (2004)
- H. ‘Nutty Professor’ (2004)
Related guides
Registration data: AHS Registry #4456. How we check this data.